Fire Near Long Ireland Beer Company Quickly Quelched

A fire that broke out in the same building as the Long Ireland Beer Company on Pulaski Street in Riverhead early Saturday was easily extinguished, according to firefighters.

Second Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Brooks said the fire came in as an automatic alarm at approximately 4 a.m.

"We found fire blowing out of the rear of the building," he said.

But, while the fire broke out in the same building as the Long Ireland Beer Company, the blaze was located at the other end of the site, at a portion of the building occupied by another business, he said.

"The guys made a very quick knockdown," Brooks said.

The fire, he added, had gotten up into the ceiling and attic; firefighters had to cut the roof. 

The business, a painting company called Optimus Priming, saw damage to its forklift and interior, said owner Rob Lanieri. The fire is under investigation by the fire marshal, he said; no cause was immediately determined.

"Fire damage was minimal, considering the size of the building," Brooks said. 

Brooks said he did not believe the Long Ireland Beer Company sustained any significant damage other than possibly some related to smoke.